Saint Paul declares, “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His son, born of a woman, born under the Law, to redeem those under the Law.” The fullness of time is an interesting phrase. It means there was an appointed time, a plan be carried out for the salvation of mankind. The days, months, and years counted down until the perfect moment over two thousand years ago. And in this moment of time, God Himself came, born of Mary, in the little town of Bethlehem. He came not for condemnation and destruction. This was not the sending of a devastating flood or fire from Heaven to punish the wicked. This was hope and life in a child who would come to sacrifice Himself for the sins of us all.
So, every year we rightly celebrate. Every year we decorate, sing, and give gifts in remembrance of this greater gift given by God. But today, just a few days after that great celebration, we are reminded how Christmas has consequences. When the good and gracious God comes into a fallen and rebellious creation, it is not all welcome, joy, and good times. The evil of our age is threatened by His coming. The things that dwell in the darkness would rather not be brought into the light. The lies of power, division, and glory- seeking will take aim at the child born of Mary, and for that matter, all who call Him Lord.
But in the midst of all the opposition and confusion, there remains this wonderful promise, that those who receive the child born of Mary, those who believe in His name, will receive adoption as the children of God. It means you are not just neutral bystanders to the whole affair. You have a place, a family you belong to, and so, you are invested in the struggle. Paul says God sends His Son so you might receive adoption as sons. Now, adoption is a wonderful way to think about your inclusion in the family of God. Think about the act of adoption. The one being adopted does not have control of the situation. They cannot force or demand that the adopting parent make the adoption binding. They are the receivers of adoption. They are blessed by the love and compassion of another, and the adoption grants them all the rights and privileges of a son.
The argument Paul is making flows from a situation that the Church struggles with regarding the distinction between the Law and the promise. In his day, the issue was circumcision. As more and more Gentiles came to believe in Christ, some demanded they be circumcised. After all, that was the mark of the covenant. That was how you proved you were part of the family of God. In our day, it certainly is not that issue, but it is a myriad of other things, laws which must be kept if you are to be considered a child of God. In fact, they seem far more complex today because they are not usually simple acts. They are vague ideals of spirituality and dedication. Yet, they always hinge on what you do, on the condition of your heart or the earnestness of your work.
The inherent problem with this is you can never be sure whether you have done enough, been faithful enough, good enough, wise enough, or dedicated enough to be certain you are a child of God and an heir of eternal life. But Paul’s point is that the promise of God does not work this way. It does not operate in the realm of fractions and percentages. It is complete and total, for it is done in Christ. Christ alone was faithful, good, wise, and dedicated enough to secure salvation for you. So, Paul will drive his point home, saying, “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
Baptism is the putting on of Christ. It is to be covered in His works, His faithfulness. Baptism is the electing work of God. Paul reminds us that it is when the Father Himself adopts you into His family. To put on Christ is to put on his righteousness, His perfection, His faithful obedience to the Father. To put on Christ is to be a child of God. This is not your work, your obedience to the Law. It is all gift, all Gospel, and it is sure. This is your confidence.
Today, little Jordan was brought to the font. Today, she was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Today, she put on Christ and was adopted into the family of God, and so, she became an heir to all the blessings of the Kingdom. And it all seems so small, so simple, and so underwhelming. Just water and Word poured over her head, but that Word is the promise of our Savior and that promise is secured by the blood of our risen Lord. Therefore, gone is the fear that she has not done enough, for God has done it all. He has secured her adoption.
But, as we said, there are consequences to Christmas. There is opposition and those who will seek to destroy such a gift. We see it today in the story of the holy family’s flight into Egypt. We read about it as Herod seeks to kill our Lord by destroying the innocent children of Bethlehem. And you feel it in your own life. You know the constant temptation to sin, the plague of depression and doubt. To be a child of God is to be in opposition to this dying age which will endlessly try to convince you to place your trust in anything other than Christ alone. But the love of God presses on. The light has come into the darkness, and the darkness will not snuff it out.
Together, we are reminded of what this is all about. As we welcome Jordan into the family, we are reminded that the pathway forward will not necessarily be easy. But she is not alone in this journey. Yes, she has her mom and dad, who will do all they can for her. But she has more than that. She has you. She has a whole family of brothers and sisters. She has people who will speak these promises to her over and over again. We will remind her of who she is, that she has put on Christ, that she is loved and forgiven, and, in Christ, promised to be an heir of the eternal Kingdom of God.
This is the joy of our adoption. This is our strength, for together we are the family of God.
